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So at the end of the day -- I understand this is a satisfying project to undertake. Operationally how is it functioning through the winter and how much upkeep

So at the end of the day -- I understand this is a satisfying project to undertake. Operationally how is it functioning through the winter and how much upkeep is required from you? I've looked at doing something similar for my home system but the LOE + upkeep make me think the reward to work ratio isn't right. That said I also know that I probably can't find anyone to help build the proper system at my house -- so its a situation where if I want it right I need to do it myself :'(

boringg 3y ago
Also do you have any concerns about software maintainability say 10-20-30 years from now? Can someone else pick up this system and run it if you sell your house?
- kayodelycaon 3y ago
  Not OP but I have a lot of home automation. I did all of the work myself. It’s easy enough to swap the wall switches and the thermostat back to what came with the house. A lot of my stuff is set and forget. Home Assistant doesn’t need to be updated or monitored. As long as nothing talks to the internet, all I need is backups of the config and spare SD cards.
- oleg_tarasov 3y ago
  Maintainability is a concern that I haven’t figured out yet :) Right now my plan is to replace my DIY thermostat with off the shelf device suitable for my boiler when we sell the house. All the advanced features will be lost, but this still is the average expected level of automation in the area :)
oleg_tarasov 3y ago
After I finished debugging the prototype, it required literally zero maintenance throughout the winter. Actually we were not living at the house at all, contractors doing remodelling work were living there instead. I installed a LCD screen with basic temperature controls and they had no problem with it whatsoever. Doing this project from start to finish took me 2 or 3 months on and off, mostly during the weekends. Doing it right yourself is the exact solution I arrived at myself :) I was shocked to discover how low the average technical level of local contractors is. I was super lucky to find a highly professional guy to overhaul the pipework, but anything more complicated I had to study on my own. Luckily, there is a ton of youtube videos, so the only thing you actually need is time.
- boringg 3y ago
  Well done on the maintenance part! I think you are really helping me out a lot as I may not be up to the same level of effort for redoing our heating system. It seems like this kind of think should be very doable in the industry but capability seems to be the big challenge.

boringg 3y ago

Also do you have any concerns about software maintainability say 10-20-30 years from now? Can someone else pick up this system and run it if you sell your house?

kayodelycaon 3y ago
Not OP but I have a lot of home automation. I did all of the work myself. It’s easy enough to swap the wall switches and the thermostat back to what came with the house. A lot of my stuff is set and forget. Home Assistant doesn’t need to be updated or monitored. As long as nothing talks to the internet, all I need is backups of the config and spare SD cards.
oleg_tarasov 3y ago
Maintainability is a concern that I haven’t figured out yet :) Right now my plan is to replace my DIY thermostat with off the shelf device suitable for my boiler when we sell the house. All the advanced features will be lost, but this still is the average expected level of automation in the area :)

oleg_tarasov 3y ago

After I finished debugging the prototype, it required literally zero maintenance throughout the winter. Actually we were not living at the house at all, contractors doing remodelling work were living there instead. I installed a LCD screen with basic temperature controls and they had no problem with it whatsoever. Doing this project from start to finish took me 2 or 3 months on and off, mostly during the weekends. Doing it right yourself is the exact solution I arrived at myself :) I was shocked to discover how low the average technical level of local contractors is. I was super lucky to find a highly professional guy to overhaul the pipework, but anything more complicated I had to study on my own. Luckily, there is a ton of youtube videos, so the only thing you actually need is time.

boringg 3y ago
Well done on the maintenance part! I think you are really helping me out a lot as I may not be up to the same level of effort for redoing our heating system. It seems like this kind of think should be very doable in the industry but capability seems to be the big challenge.